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A. LOCAL 



HISTORY OF CAMDEN, 



COMMENCING WITH 



ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT, 

Incorporation, and Public and Private Improvements, 

BROUGHT UP TO THE PRESENT DAY. 

BY L. F. FISLER, M. D. 



««Who would be without a History of his C ountry . •* ' — Franklin. 




CAMDEN, N. J. ^ ^^ 



FRAITCIS A. CASSEDY, PUBLISHER. 

1858. 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1858, 

BY FRANCIS A. CASSEDY, 

In the Clsrk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Easteri 
District of Pennsylvania. 



J. H. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 
No. oi Carter's Alley, Philada. 



THE PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION. 



In presenting to the citizens of Camden the history 
of our growing city, the Publisher, with great pleasure, 
takes this opportunity of respectfully returning his sin- 
cere thanks to those persons who have sustained and 
encouraged him in the work. He trusts it will not 
only prove acceptable to those liberal-minded citizens 
and others whose names have already been enrolled upon 
its subscription list, but to those, also, who design, but 
have not, as yet, had the opportunity of adding their 
names to those already received. 

The Publisher would here express his grateful ac- 
knowledgements to the gentleman who has, in so generous 
a manner, presented to us this history of our city, it being 
the fruit of long and patient research, and often pursued 
amid official cares and professional duties. There seems 
to be a peculiar fitness in this contribution which the 
author now makes to the local literature of Camden, he 
having presided over her interests for many years as her 
chief magistrate. 

FRANCIS A. CASSEDY. 

July 1, 1858. 



TO THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS 

OF THH 

CITY COUNCIL OF CAMDEN 



Gentlemen : — The present History of our city has 
been thoroughly revised, rewritten, and much enlarged 
by the addition of valuable matter. It is now submitted 
to the public as a record of many important events con- 
nected with our early history. I can truly say that my 
only design in its publication is, to secure to the future 
some important facts which must soon pass away and be 
forgotten. To you who have so kindly aided me in this 
little work, I here beg leave to acknowledge my indebted- 
ness, and to you is it most respectfully inscribed by 

The Author. 
Camden^ July 1, 1858. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 



When engaged in the prosecution of my profession, 1 
have frequently employed myself in gathering up a few 
facts connected with the early history of our city. If my 
labors shall induce some abler one to pursue these inqui- 
ries still further, all will have been accomplished which 
was designed. 

It is proposed to present to my readers a brief outline 
of Camden, commencing with her early settlement, up 
to her incorporation and to the present day. My remarks 
on this first head will be but general ; referring you for 
further information on this subject to an interesting work 
entitled " Reminiscences of Old Gloucester ^^^ written by 
the late Isaac Mickle, Esq. It contains a great amount 
of valuable matter in relation to my native county. I 
shall more particularly confine myself to within that 
period of time in which I have had the honor to hold a 
citizenship in Camden. It may be that there are those 
who are somewhat familiar with these matters ; those I 
may not be able to interest, but there is a large number 
of my readers whose attention I hope to secure, and if I 
shall succeed in imparting a small degree of the pleasure 
that has been realized in gathering up a few fragments 
of an age that must soon be forgotten, then my effort will 
not have been unrewarded. 



s A LOCAL HISTORY OK OAMPEN. 

Cotiiiun, antorior to the ohartor of iuoorjxnixuon. w-bioli 
^v^ustitutod hor a city, wa;? a sjuall and uuimporuint vil- 
la^, situakni iu the county of Gloucostor, and the towr. 
ship of Xowiou. It contained at that time but a fe^v 
houses and a [K>puU\tiou pivportionably small. Without 
busiivoss. and without the least spark or sjurit of ejiter- 
prise, for vears she w"^\s content to n.nu:viu a meiv tho- 
Tvughfatx^. through which huudiwls daily j^i\ssed to and 
fi\>n\ the groat business mart on the opposite shore of the 
Peli\w;vre. What little imj^ortivnce she then |x-vssessed 
Nv-\s solely dej>endent on her proximity to rhih\delphia- 
Camden, iu the original town plot, w;\:? of very limitovi 
dimensions. On the north it wns bounded by the soutV 
side of t\vper stixHM. extending down to a line running 
about mid\>-ay Ivtween ^larket and rium stivets, and 
fKmi the Delaware river to Sixth street These were 
the outlines, as laid down in the original survey of the 
town. All outside of theso bounds, with the exception 
of a few old houses, were either sterile fields or thic); 
forests of trees. What few dwellings there were, were 
mostly along the margin of the river, and oocupieil by 
fishermeji and ferrymen. 

About the year IS 14, Edward Sharp. Esq,, a wealth} 
cxnuleman, who then resided ;ft the northeast corner ol 
Second and Cooper streets, purchastxi of Joshua Cooper 
all tlie land lying between Federal street, down to Line 
street. South C;unden. It was the intention of ^Vfr. Sharp 
to construct a bridge from Camden over to Windmill 
Island, for which purpose a street of one hundred and 
Nventy feet inwiddiwas laid on t^ called "Bridge avenue." 
ai tlie foot of which tlie bridge was to stai-t, A charter 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 9 

for it was granted on tlic 26tli of January, 1819, bj our 
Legislature, but the projectors were unable to dispose of 
the stock, and therefore the enterprise resulted in a total 
failure. 



CHURCHES. 

We have little or no account of any schools or 
churches until about the year 1800, at which time a 
lot of ground was purchased of Joshua Cooper, on the 
northwest corner of Fourth and Federal streets, on which 
to erect a Methodist Episcopal Church. Prior to this 
time, there were occasional meetings of this society, held 
in private houses. 

On the 25th of November, 1810, their new house was 
dedicated. Its dimensions were just thirty feet square. 
On this occasion the Rev. Thomas Dunn preached an 
appropriate discourse, taking for his text these words from 
the book of Ezra : — " Who hath commanded you to build 
this house and to make these toalls .^ " 

The pulpit of that old building had often been fdled 
by men, inferior in zeal and piety to none of the present 
day, and though they have all since gone to " reap their 
reward," yet their memories are still loved and cher- 
ished, and the names of Thomas Dunn, Joseph Rusling, 
Joseph Lybrand and many others, will always be ranked 
among the first and faithful heralds of early Methodism 
in Camden. 

After the lapse of years, this house was found insuffi- 
cient to meet the wants of this young and increasing 
denomination. The old building was disposed of, and in 
1834 the foundation stone of the present church in Third 
street was laid. Its dimensions are 52 by 72 feet, with 



10 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

spacious galleries. Its present pastor is the Rev. E. H. 
Stokes. 

The next church which was instituted in Camden was 
the First Baptist Church, situated in Fourth street, be- 
tween Market and Plum streets. 

In the early part of the year 1818, the following 
named persons withdrew from the First Baptist Church 
in Philadelphia and established the above named so- 
ciety : — Sylvanus Sheppard, Phoebe Sheppard, Richard 
Johnson, Ann Johnson, Isaac Smith, Hannah Ludlam and 
Eleanor Sheppard. On the 5th of February, 1818, they 
were regularly constituted, the Revs. Henry Holcombe, 
D. D., John Sisty and Daniel James officiating. Their 
first meetings were held in a private dwelling in Plum 
street, near Fourth. 

The Rev. Daniel James assumed the pastoral charge, 
and at once commenced the erection of a house of wor- 
ship, which was completed and dedicated towards the 
close of the year 1818. Its dimensions were 40 by 50 
feet. Including the present pastor, the Rev. Stephen H. 
Murick, the church has had the following named pas- 
tors : — Rev. Daniel James, Rev. Thomas J. Kitts, Rev. 
Charles J. Hopkins, Rev. William S. Hall, Rev. Amassa 
Smith, Rev. N. B. Tyndale, Rev. Wm. Smith, Rev. 
Thomas R. Taylor and Rev. John Duncan. 

The shortest pastorate was that of the Rev. Daniel 
James, and the longest that of the Rev. Thomas R. Tay- 
lor ; the former continuing but seven months, and the 
latter eleven years. In February, 1839, a resolution was 
adopted to demolish this old building, and to rear one of 
larger proportions. In January, 1841, the present house 
was dedicated by the Rev. A. D. Gillette. Its dimen- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 11 

sions are 45 by 55 feet. So rapidly has this congregation 
and membership increased within a few years, that it is 
now contemplated to enlarge the present building by the 
addition of 25 feet to the rear end of it. 

The Episcopal denomination was without a church 
until the year 1834; though for some time previous reli- 
gious exercises were held by this society in the old City 
Court House. In 1834 the corner-stone of St. Paul's, in 
Market street, was laid, and in 1835 it was dedicated. 
The Rev. Samuel Starr became the first pastor ; he was 
succeeded by the Rev. Francis P. Lee ; afterwards by the 
Eev. Henry Burroughs; then by the Rev. Joseph M. 
Lybrand, and now the Rev. Dr. Jos. P. Garrison. 

Within a few years, a second Episcopal congregation 
has been organized, who purchased the Floating Chapel, 
and placed it on Broadway, ornamenting and improving 
that beautiful part of our city. Its pastor is the Rev. 
Elvin K. Smith. 

About the year 1827, at the time of the unhappy diffi- 
culties which arose among the Society of Friends, a branch 
of them erected a place of worship in Market street, far 
out in the outskirts of the town. For years its plain and 
simple structure was concealed within the shade of the 
thick forests of trees which then surrounded it, but its 
still and quiet retreat has long since been invaded by the 
march of improvement. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Camden was organ- 
ized by the Presbytery of West New Jersey, September 
27th, 1840, at which time it consisted of twelve members. 
The Rev. William L. McCalla acted as stated supply for 
several months. An effort was then made to erect a 



12 A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 

church edifice, which resulted in a failure, and the Society 
was temporarily disbanded in December, 1841. 

With renewed efforts another organization was effected 
in June, 1846, under the immediate superintendence of 
the Rev. Giles Manwarring, who became the first pastor, 
and was installed April 13th, 1847, by the Presbytery of 
West New Jersey. When the Rev. Mr. Manwarring 
commenced his labors in this city, he knew of but two 
presbyterian families in the whole town. Divine service 
was first held in a school room, in Third street, between 
Market and Plum streets. For a considerable time the 
number of worshipers varied from eight to twenty, in- 
cluding children. In 1846, they commenced worshiping 
in the City Court House, in Federal street, and so con- 
tinued until 1847. Here the congregation increased so 
much that application was made to the Presbytery to be 
organized into a church. In the meantime, the founda- 
tion of a church edifice was laid, and, by the untiring 
efforts of the first pastor, the work was so far advanced 
that, in the Spring of 1847, the congregation was enabled 
to worship in the lecture room of the present edifice, on 
Fifth street, above Market street, to the erection of which 
the citizens of Camden and Philadelphia had largely con- 
tributed. 

After the resignation of Mr. Manwarring, the Rev. 
Robinson P. Dunn was called to occupy the pulpit. He 
entered on his labors the last Sabbath in June, 1848, and 
continued his services with great acceptance until April, 
1851, when he received a professorship in " Brown Uni- 
versity," Providence, R. I. Mr. Dunn was succeeded by 
the Rev. Levi H. Christian, who continued his services 
from July 1, 1851, to December 13, 1853. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 13 

The present pastor of this church is the Eev. Daniel 
Stewart, D. D., who began his labors in March, 1854, but 
was not formally installed over the church until June 
12th, 1856. 

This church edifice has been recently greatly enlarged, 
to the extent of nearly double its former capacity. The 
lecture room is handsomely fitted up, and under the 
ministrations of its able and eloquent divine, the congre- 
gation has more than doubled its members, and altogether 
it presents, internally and externally, one of the most 
attractive churches in our city. 

The Second Baptist Church of Camden. — In conse- 
quence of the rapid growth of South Camden, a number 
of Baptists, residing in that part of our city, seeing the 
necessity of having a place of worship in their own im- 
mediate neighborhood, determined to make an efi'ort, 
which resulted in the building of a house of worship, 
which is located at the corner of Fourth and Division 
streets. The edifice is a neat brick building, forty by 
fifty feet, with a commodious basement beneath. Fifty- 
four members drew their letters of dismission from the 
First Baptist Church of North Camden, and the corner- 
stone was laid in 1848, with appropriate exercises, by the 
Rev. M. Semple, who became the first pastor. After his 
resignation, he was succeeded by the Rev. A. E. Clark, 
in 1850. The congregation worshiped in the basement 
until the pastorate of the Rev. T. C. Trotter, who was its 
third pastor. In November, 1852, the church edifice was 
completed and dedicated, and the Rev. T. Goodwin be- 
came the pastor, and so continued for the term of two 
years. In January, 1855, the Rev. F. T. Cailhopper as- 



14 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

sumed the charge, and is still the present pastor. Its 
membership amounts to over two hundred. 

The Union Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on 
the corner of Fifth and Chew streets, South Camden. 
This society was organized, and the corner-stone of the 
church laid, in 1848, by the Eev. David W. Eartine. 
The house was completed and dedicated on the 25th of 
December, 1848, by the Rev. Charles Pitman, D. D., 
assisted by the Rev. Wm. P. Corbit. The Rev. Israel S. 
Corbit was appointed in charge, and was succeeded in 
1849 by Rev. W. H. Jefferies. In 1850 this church be- 
came a separate charge, by severing its former connection 
with its old alma mater in Third street. The Rev. 
David Duffell now became its pastor ; who was followed 
in 1852 by Rev. George Hitchens, in 1854 by Rev. P. 
Cline, in 1856 by Rev. J. W. Hickman, in 1858 by Rev. 
H. M. Brown. 

Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on 
the corner of Berkley street and Broadway. This con- 
gregation was organized May 9th, 1854, by Isaac N. 
Felch, Presiding Elder; it numbered forty members, and 
Ralph S. Arnett was pastor. The corner-stone of the 
present church building was laid the 7th of August, 1855, 
by ^'Bishop Janes J' The lecture room was opened and 
dedicated for religious worship on the 25th of December, 
1855, by ''Bishop Scott;'' Joseph H. Knowles being the 
pastor. On the 29th of January, 1857, the main audience 
room was opened, and dedicated by Bishop Janes and 
Joseph J. Hanly, the pastor. Its dimensions are forty- 
nine by fifty-eight feet. On the first floor are the pastor's 
study, class rooms, lecture room, and infant school room. 
Caleb R. Fleming is the present pastor. Its membership 



A LOCAJ. HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 15 

at the present time is two hundred and fifty-six members. 
This is one of the most beautiful church edifices in our 
city. 

The Central Presbyterian Church (New School) is 
situated at the corner of Fourth and Hartman streets, 
Cooper's Hill. In June, 1851, the corner-stone of this 
building was laid; Rev. Albert Barnes, Brainard, and 
others, officiating. In 1852, the Rev. J. W. Mears was 
ordained and installed its pastor. He was succeeded by 
the Rev. Mr. Dixon. In the Spring of 1854 the Rev. 
Mr. Jarvis took charge. This is a beautiful little edifice, 
constructed entirely of wood, and of the gothic style of 
architecture. Its height from the floor to the peak of the 
roof is twenty-eight feet ; the dimensions of the whole 
are: principal building, sixty by thirty feet; portico, 
seven by eleven feet ; semicircular recess for the pulpit, 
eight feet six inches. The lecture room is eighteen by 
twenty-five feet, communicating with the main building, 
and capable, if necessary, of being thrown into one apart- 
ment with it. All the materials are of the best quality, 
the foundations heavy, and the walls and rooting substan- 
tial.* 

A neat little German Methodist Church has recently 
been organized. It is situated at the corner of Fifth and 
Line streets. Its dimensions are thirty-four by thirty-six 
feet, being composed of brick. It numbers about forty 
members, and the Rev. Mr. Hinkle is the present pastor. 

* This building has recently been purchased by the Board of Educa- 
tion, of Camden, and there is now established in it one of the most 
valuable and flourishing public schools in our city. 



16 JL LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

The Camden County Court House. — This is among 
the largest and most substantial edifices to be found 
in the southern part of our State. This building was 
commenced in May, 1852, and completed in Novem- 
ber, 1853. The dimensions are as follows: sixty feet 
wide and one hundred and eight feet deep, with a portico 
on the eastern front, projecting eight feet by thirty-six 
feet six inches. A basement extends throughout the ex- 
tent of the building, one portion of which contains twelve 
cells, and a space under the corridors is apportioned 
for the reception of the furnaces ; the remaining apart- 
ments are occupied by the keeper and his family. The 
first story contains the Surrogate's office, the office of the 
County Clerk, Orphan's Court room, Sheriff's office, and 
County Collector's office. The main and private stair- 
ways run each way throughout the building. The prin- 
cipal story contains the main Court room, Attorney 
General's room, Library, and witnesses rooms. The petit 
jury apartments are on the second floor. Daniel A. 
Hall, Esq., was the contractor and builder. 

No building in our city reflects more credit on the 
enterprize and spirit of our citizens than that of the Pub- 
lic School House, located in the southern portion of our 
city. It is large, and very substantially built, admirably 
answering the design for which it was intended. It was 
erected in the year 1853, and its dimensions are eighty 
feet square. 

The Washington Hall is another public building, situ- 
ated in the South Ward, at the corner of Fourth and 
Spruce streets. This is a large three-storied brick build- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 17 

ing, and has been found very useful for holding public 
meetings, assemblies, entertainments, &c., &c. 

The Odd Fellows^ Hall is at the corner of Fourth and 
Market streets, North Camden. The corner-stone of this 
building was laid on Thursday, October 5th, 1848, Horn 
K. Kneass, Esq., officiating, and was dedicated November 
8th, 1849. A great number of Lodges were in attend- 
ance, both from Philadelphia and the surrounding coun- 
try. Its dimensions are thirty-sis by sixty feet, three 
stories in height. 

There is an old brick Academy standing at the corner 
of Market and Sixth street ; this was erected at a very 
early day, in 1803, by subscription of the inhabitants of 
Camden, and is now employed as a public school house. 

There are two Market Houses, both of which are situ- 
ated in Third street, between Market and Federal, and 
both of which are well patronized. 

There are two banking houses in Camden, both of 
which are beautiful buildings. The " State Bank of 
Camden " is situated at the corner of Market and Second 
streets, and the " Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank,'' (a 
new institution,) at the corner of Market and Front 
streets. 

The " Camden Mutual Fire Insurance Company " have 
now in progress a commodious building at the corner of 
Fifth and Federal streets, a part of which is to be 
appropriated to the transaction of their business, attached 
to which are several commodious offices. 



FERRIES. 

At the time at which my remarks commence with 
Camden, there were five ferries. The one at the foot of 



18 A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 

federal street was kept by Joshua Cooper, and then by 
his son William, and afterwards by Joseph Wilds, and 
later still by Benjamin Reeves. This old ferry house, 
now occupied by Parsons and Smith as a hotel, has inserted 
in its front wall a <' tablet," lettered thus : — 

"D. M. C.'^ 
'' 1764." 

The initials, no doubt, of Daniel Cooper and wife. This 
is one of the oldest buildings in our city. 

At the foot of Market street, North Camden, there 
were two ferries ; the lower one was kept by Peter Farrow, 
who was succeeded by William Paul, and after him by 
Benjamin Springer. The ferry on the upper side of the 
street, where the old stone store house now stands, was 
in the occupancy of Randal Sparks, and was known by 
the name of Sparks' ferry. 

Cooper street ferry was occupied by James Springer, 
and after his death by Benjamin Reeves, and Cooper's 
Point by William Cooper. 

There was also, at a very early day, a ferry at Kaighn's 
Point. It was established in the autumn of 1809, by 
Joseph Kaighn, who, until that period, had occupied the 
family mansion connected with his farm, which extended 
from the river Delaware to the Haddonfield road. 
Christopher Medara, of Salem county, moved into it, and 
opened it for the accommodation of the public. The 
first steamboat at this ferry carried passengers only, and 
ran to Queen street, Southwark. It is believed that she 
was named the " Camden." 

In 1815, all the landing and ferrying privileges were 
leased to a chartered company, called the " Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey Ferry Company," for the term of 99 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 19 

years, for a nominal rent, on condition that a good ferry 
should be maintained by them at that place. The above 
Company then built the steamboat " Union ;" at that 
time, perhaps, she was the most complete and efficient 
ferry boat in existence, and would compare favorably 
with any of the present day. Her commander was the 
sturdy Captain Burroughs. Her hull was built in Ken- 
sington, by Nicholas Yandusen, and her engine, being a 
very superior one, was constructed at Hoboken, by the 
late and lamented Eobert L. Stevens, Esq., who had then 
just commenced his active and useful career. She first 
ran to Washington street, Southwark. 

The Company, at a great expenditure of money, built 
substantial piers on both sides of the river, and a large 
amount of business was done at this ferry; it failed, 
however, on account, it is said, of a want of a proper 
economy in its management. 

Soon afterwards Washington street was abandoned, 
and a landing was established at South street. Christo- 
pher Medara removed from the hotel in 1816, and was 
succeeded by George W. Hugg. During his occupancy, 
Joseph Kaighn sold the property to the widow of Clement 
Reeves. After a few years, the ferry company forfeited 
their lease, by failing to run an efficient boat. 

Desirous of retaining their lease, after the " Union " 
had ceased to run, a small steamboat was substituted in 
her place. This boat was named the " Norristown." 
She was built on one of the canals in Pennsylvania. 
Unfortunately, one night she took fire, while lying in her 
dock, and was entirely consumed. 

Thelvidow Reeves, as before stated, having purchased 
the ferry property, she, in connection with her son Israel, 



20 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

now became the occupants of the hotel, and in conse- 
quence of the interruption in the ferrying operations, 
she claimed the landing, with all the ferrying privileges 
appertaining thereto. 

This was resisted by the Company, and a law-suit 
ensued between the parties, which resulted in the widow 
obtaining the possession of the property. A small 
steamboat was then constructed, capable of carrying 
horses, carriages, &c. This boat was named the " New 
Jersey.^' 

This hotel, when occupied by George W. Hugg, was 
very ably kept, and did a very large and prosperous 
business. " Kaighn's Point " at that day, was a place of 
great resort for the citizens of Philadelphia during the 
summer season. It is said that Capt. Watmough, of the 
" Washington Guards," and Capt. James Page, of the 
" State Fencibles," often visited this cool and shady 
retreat, accompanied by Frank Johnson's renowned 
" Black Band." Then the music consisted of national 
and patriotic airs and marches, instead of so much of the 
spiritless stuff of the present day, which has been im- 
ported from abroad. 

Ebenezer Toole then purchased the property of Mrs. 
Eeeves, and built the steamboat " Kaighn's Point," com- 
manded by Capt. Benjamin Sutton. The steamer 
" Southwark " was built after the " New Jersey," and 
previous to the " Kaighn's Point." The next boat was 
the " Champion," Capt. Jacob P. Stone, and afterwards 
Capt. Charles M. Thompson. 

The heirs of Ebenezer Toole sold the ferry to the 
" South Camden Ferry Company," who, in 1853, built the 
steamer " Stephen Girard,'' a boat as convenient and 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 21 

useful as any other that plies between Camden and 
Philadelphia. 

" Cooper's Point Ferry '^ was always distinguished 
from all the others by the familiar name of " Upper 
Billy's." This may have been from the fact that, at one 
time one of the lower ferries was kept by a person of a 
similar name, the son of Joshua Cooper. For a number 
of years '' Upper Billy's " was a very popular stopping 
place for travelers, particularly for Jerseymen. 

One reason assigned for this was, and I have often 
heard it when a boy, that travelers' horses always did 
their keeper great credit after having been stabled at 
" Upper Billy's ;" their sleek appearance denoting that 
they had not been stinted in their allotted allowance of 
corn and oats. 

Besides this. Uncle Billy, (as he was universally called,) 
was a very popular man, and was always ready to meet 
his visitors with a cordial welcome ; and one of his fami- 
liar grasps of the hand was not so readily forgotten. 

It is said that, during the American revolution, General 
Abercrombie had his head-quarters at this place, and 
history informs us that this ground has been trodden by 
the footsteps of the " Immortal Washington." The fore- 
going incident is related as having occurred at Cooper's 
Point, at a time when a part of the British Army were 
encamped at that place : — While a party of cavalry were 
engaged in practising their horses in leaping over a 
hurdle, under the inspection of an officer, the awkward- 
ness of one of these untrained animals caused it to stumble, 
throwing its rider with some force on the ground. This 
induced the officer to inquire into the extent of the injury. 



22 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 



In reply, he was informed that the man's arm was broken. 
A party of " Jersey boys " happened to be among the 
spectators. True to the rebel instinct, which at that 
time appeared to pervade the whole land, one of the lads, 
in an undertone of voice, remarked to his comrades that 
it was a pity " that it was not his neckJ' 

These words met the ear of the officer, but he could 
not determine which one of the young rascals it was that 
had given utterance to the treason. They all ran off 
together, and " Uncle Billy " lived more than a half 
century afterwards to relate to a friend this amusing 
little incident of a British officer and of himself. 

From the earliest settlement of Camden up to about 
the year 1810, the crossing of the river was carried on in 
small boats, which would contain from twelve to fifteen 
persons. These were called wherries. There were also 
those of a larger class, named horse boats. These were 
for the transportation of horses, carriages, cattle, &c. 
To avoid misapprehension, let it, be borne in mind that, 
when horse boats are spoken of, no allusion is intended 
to those which were propelled by horse-power ; these I 
shall denominate " Team Boats." 

Among ferrymen the year was usually divided into two 
seasons— the Summer and Winter—the former of which 
commenced about the first of March, and the latter from 
December to March. During the summer season the 
rates of ferriage were as follows : — 

Each passenger, $0 12i 

Wagon and horses, 1 50 

Man and horse, 50 

Cattle, per head, 50 

and other things in the same proportion. 



t A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 23 

Throughout the winter these rates were always 
doubled : — 

Single passenger, $0 25 

Wagon and two horses, - - - - 3 00 

Man and horse, 1 00 

Cattle, per head, 1 00 

and so on. 

No particular time was established for putting on the 
double rates, or taking them off. This depended some- 
what on the weather, and it was generally submitted to 
the oldest ferry master. It was performed by a certain 
signal, in the following curious manner : — The horse 
boats, when not employed, were kept at anchor in the 
river, opposite the ferry to which they belonged. When 
anchored out in the Spring, by the direction of the ferry 
master, that was the signal to all the other ferries to take 
off the double ferriage ; there they lay, when not in ser- 
vice, until the commencement of winter, when they were 
brought in, and double rates resumed. 

In this singular manner the ferrying business was con- 
ducted until about the year 1810, at which time a small 
steamboat made her appearance as a ferry boat. She was 
commanded by Capt. Ziba Kellum, and was built by 
Joseph Bispham. She ran from the foot of Cooper street 
to the lower side of Market street, Philadelphia. 

This was the first ferry steamboat that had ever 
crossed the Delaware river. She was undecked, and 
carried passengers only. Her name was the " Camden," 
and I am glad that she was so called, as she was the 
early pioneer of steamboating between Camden and 
Philadelphia. 

About the year 1812, a large steamboat commenced 



24 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. ^ 

running up the river, carrying the New York passengers. 
This boat was named the " Phoenix/' Capt. Degraw. 
She ran from Philadelphia to Bordentown, and it took 
her three hours with the tide, and five against it, to reach 
her destination. Having no wheel-house, she presented 
a very singular appearance, as the water, when she was 
in motion, would often be thrown as high as her smoke 
pipe. She was sent around here from Hoboken by the 
elder John Stevens, and Eobert L. Stevens was her tem- 
porary engineer. She belonged to what was then called 
the ''Swift-Sure Line," and attracted a great deal of 
curiosity. Her hour of departure was announced by the 
blowing of a long tin horn, and hundreds of persons 
WO' ■'i crowd the wharves to see her embark on her 
perilous voyage. If no accident occurred, her passengers 
were landed in New York the same day, or else in the 
course of the night. 

Previous to this, passengers were conveyed to Cooper's 
Point in small boats, and thence in coaches to Amboy, or 
else in post coaches from Philadelphia to New York, via 
Trenton, Princeton and New Brunswick. 

As an evidence of what the facilities for traveling 
were at that day, and even in after years, I copy the 
following cards from an old Philadelphia Directory, 
published in 1818 : — 

JVEir POST CHAISE AIVO PILOT OFFICE. 

Winter Establishment for New York and Baltimore. 

The Post Chaise will leave Philadelphia every morning at 5 o'clock, 
and arrive in New York the same evening, at 6 o'clock. 

Fare, $8 00. 

SECOIVD L.IIVE. 

The Mail Coach Pilot will leave Philadelphia every afternoon at 2| 
o'clock, run through, and arrive in New York the next morning. The 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 25 

public are informed that in this line no detention will be met with on 
the road, as it carries no mail. 

Fare, $10 00. 

BALTIMORE PILOT 

Will leave Philadelphia every morning at 6 o'clock, lodge at Havre 

De Grace, and arrive in Baltimore next morning by 12 o'clock, (noon.) 

Fare, $12 00. 

It is due to the memory of John Fitch to state, that 
the first attempt at steamboating on the Delaware river 
was performed by him as early or about the year 1787. 
He constructed a boat, and made several trips to Bur- 
lington and Trenton, previous to his final abandonment 
of his long cherished project. 

The following highly interesting letter, concerning the 
unfortunate John Fitch, was published in the '^ cks 
County Intelligencer^ at Doylestown, Pa., Februaij 16, 
1858, and a copy forwarded to the author: — 

Warminster Township. ) 
February 9, 1858. ' j 

My Dear Sir : — In answer to your verbal inquiry, I 
would state that I was acquainted with John Fitch, the 
steamboat man. Some time after the revolutionary war, 
he came to my father's house, in Warminster township, to 
board, where he remained two or three years or more. 
Near the house was an old log shop, where my father 
carried on weaving, and James Scout, called " Scobe 
Scout," carried on silversmithing. 

In this shop John Fitch built his first steamboat, which 
I distinctly remember, as I was a good sized boy. It 
was about four feet long, and a little over afoot in width, 
with a wheel in the stern, which was something like a 
flutter-wheel. When the boat was done it was taken to 
a dam on the farm of Arthur Watts, in Southampton 
township, near the present village of Davis ville, and now 
owned by Gen. John Davis. 
2 



26 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

John Fitch was accompanied by James Scout, Abra- 
ham Sutphin, Anthony Scout, John McDowell, William 
Yansant and Charles Garrison. I went along, out of 
boyish curiosity, and after we had reached the dam, 
Arthur Watts, and I think his son William Watts, then 
a young man, came out to witness the experiment. I 
think the soft coal of Virginia was used to generate 
steam, and it is my opinion that the fire was lighted while 
the boat was on the bank. Before the boat Avas put in 
the water, the persons along were sent to the other side 
of the dam to prevent its running aground, and to turn 
it when it should come across. I was sent up to the 
head of the dam, where the water was shallow and the 
mud deep, as the men did not like to go in where they 
would get muddy. I waded in some little distance, 
where the water was deep enough to allow the boat to 
float, and stood there. The boat was launched, and in a 
few minutes it put off under full headway, puffing and 
the smoke flying, and very soon reached the opposite side 
of the dam. This run being too short, it was next started 
lengthwise of the dam, and made several trips back and 
forth to and from the point where I stood. When it 
reached me I turned it round, and headed it towards the 
starting point again. 1 could always tell about where it 
would come out when I saw it coming towards me, and 
waded through the mud and water to that place to pre- 
vent its running aground. We were there at least two 
or three hours, until all were satisfied with the experi- 
ment, when we returned home. Fitch carrying the boat. 
The gentlemen who witnessed the trial were delighted, 
and I was astonished. The boat had a deck, and I am 
certain the fire was below it, as it could not be seen 
when the boat was in motion. I think it had a smoke 
stack. The late Nathaniel Boileau, Esq., then a young 
man, turned some part of the machinery for the boat, and 
I carried it back and forth several times, and I remember 
I thought the wheels were pretty things, and wanted 
them for a wagon. I do not remember the year in which 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 27 

this took place, but I was born in January, 1782, and at 
that time I could not have been less than four or five 
years old. The whole transaction is indelibly impressed 
on my memory. Soon after this trial, Fitch took his boat 
to Philadelphia, where he met some person, and I am 
under the impression it was Fulton, who told him that 
some part of the machinery was not right, and that he 
had better alter it, — when Fitch returned home with the 
boat to make the necessary alterations, after which he 
went a second time to Philadelphia with his boat. 

The shop in which this boat was built was on the farm 
now owned by Mitchell Wood, in Warminster township, 
within about three hundred yards of the county line of 
Montgomery county. Mr. Boileau lived at that time 
with his father on the farm now owned by Lewis Wil- 
lard, on the county line between Bucks and Montgomery, 
near the eight square school house, and a little more 
than a mile from Davisville. 

Yours respectfully, 
Abraham McDowell, Warminster Township. 

To W. W. H. Davia, Davisville, Bucks Co., Pa. 

The writer of the above letter is a gentleman far 
advanced in years, and in perfect possession of his 
faculties. His character, among those who know him, is 
unimpeachable. It is the more interesting, coming, as it 
does, directly from a living witness of these experiments, 
and also strongly substantiates the many statements that 
have been made and published of this unfortunate man 
of genius. 

The next boat that ran up the river after the Phoenix 
was named the Philadelphia. She belonged to the Union 
line, and was commanded by Capt. Jenkins. She ran 
from Chestnut street to Bristol, and afterwards estab- 
lished a wharf about three miles above, called "Yan 
Harts,^' and thence in stages to New Brunswick and to 



28 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

New York in the William Gibbons. For some reason 
or other, this boat always went by the name of Old Sal. 
It is supposed that she obtained this name from the cir- 
cumstance of her having a very grotesque looking female 
figure headj'^which, it is said, contributed but little to 
ornament her prow. 

Next a new line was introduced, called the •' Citizens' 
Line." The boat on this end was the Pennsylvania.^ 
She ran to Bordentown, and thence in coaches to Wash- 
ington, New Jersey, and thence in the ^tna, Capt. 
Eobinson. This was in opposition to the Union Line. 
The ^tna exploded her boiler in New York harbor, 
May 12th, 1824, having on board the Philadelphia pas- 
sengers ; a number of lives were lost, and many badly 
scalded. Her place was supplied by one named the JVew 
York. 

The Union line then built the JVew Philadelphia, to 
compete with the JVew York, of the Citizens' line, and 
then the Trenton came out to run against the Pennsyl- 
vania, of the Citizens' line, and then the Citizens' line 
brought out a new boat named the Philadelphia, to beat 
the Trenton. 

There was a wonderful competition and even strife 
among these lines, which continued for several years, 
until Capt. Whilldin and Cornelius Yandergrift started an 
opposition against all of them. This was called the '' Dis- 
patch Line." The competition had become so great at 
one time that the fare was reduced to a dollar. The 
boat on this end was the Emerald. The Dispatch line 



* The engine of this venerable old boat is now in a tow boat called the 
Lehigh, running from Bristol. 



A LOCAL HISTOET OF CAMDEN. 29 

was soon disposed of, and the railroad fever beginning 
to prevail, seriously affected the value of steamboats and 
stages. The Union and Citizens' line, with some of the 
others, ultimately became merged in the Camden and 
Amboy Railroad Company. 

Since that day, there have been a number of up river 
boats, and some of them of a very superior order. 

The John Stevens^ one of the finest boats that ever 
floated on the Delaware, was built at Hoboken in the 
year 1846. At that time she was the largest iron boat 
in the United States. Her builder was Mr. John F. Starr, 
of this city. On the night of the 16th of July, 1855, 
she was entirely consumed by fire, when lying in her dock 
at Whitehill, near Bordentown. Her commander was 
Capt. Peter H. Kester. The Richard Stockto7i, by far 
the most magnificent steamer on our waters, and the 
largest boat that ever ran up our river, was built at 
Wilmington, Delaware, in 1852, by Harlan and Hol- 
lingsworth, highly celebrated builders. Her length is 
30 feet longer than that of the John Stevens. Her 
commander is the young and accomplished Capt. Douglas 
Thompson.^ 

There is one person attached to this boat who occu- 
pies a highly responsible position, and whose merits it 
would be injustice to overlook. 

Who that has traveled up and down the Delaware 
river on this floating palace, does not remember to have 
seen at his post the sturdy frame of Peter Bloomsburg, 
the veteran engineer of the Stockton ? The first account 
we have of Peter, he was a deck hand on board of the 
Old Sal, about the time of the war of 1812. In 1824 



30 A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 

he went in the capacity of a pilot in the Franklin^ and 
in 1825 he served in the same capacity on board of the 
Trenton. He is at this time, and has always been, the 
engineer of the Richard Stockton, and if we may infer 
from his present strong and athletic appearance, the 
indications are that he may be able to endure as long as 
the mighty machinery of that noble boat which he ma- 
nages to control with so much power and skill. 

As I have departed somewhat from my subject, by 
running up the river in these opposition lines, I will now 
return again to Camden, from whence I started. 

You have been told, and let it not be forgotten, that 
the little steamer Camden was the first ferry boat of that 
description that ever agitated the waters of the beautiful 
Delaware. She was soon succeeded by another named 
the Twins, built by James Springer, and ran from the 
foot of Cooper street. She was constructed like two boats 
coupled together, with a propelling wheel in the centre, 
precisely like the renowned little John Smith, which plies 
so faithfully in the summer season between Smith's Island 
and somewhere on the opposite side of the river. She 
was commanded by Capt. Kellum, and owned by Wil- 
liam Poole and James Springer. This Capt. Kellum 
appears, at that day, to have been a very popular man. 
It is related of him that on one occasion he was the 
means of saving the life of a mother and child, by plung- 
ing in the river and rescuing both. For this praiseworthy 
act the "Humane Society " conferred on him a handsome 
present, in addition to which he was promoted to a more 
responsible position. 

The next boat in order came the Rebecca. She was a 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 31 

very singular, and no doubt at that time considered of a 
very superior construction. She was named after the 
estimable wife of AYilliam Cooper, of Cooper's Point, 
from which place she plied to Arch street. She soon, how- 
ever, lost this cognomen, and invariably went by the name 
of the Aunt Becky. Capt. Laning and Capt. Roth were 
her commanders. 

There was something somewhat remarkable in the 
construction of the Aunt Becky that deserves a pass- 
ing notice. Strange as it may now appear, she had a 
wooden boiler ; it was clamped together like a cask ; the 
flues were of iron, but the steam and water were enclosed 
within this wooden vessel. No doubt quite a competition 
sprung up between these rival boats which of them should 
excel in speed. I know nothing concerning the merits 
of the Camden^ or Twins, but Captain Roth has 
informed me that he has frequently run the ^^ Aimf 
Becky'' from Cooper's Point to Arch street, in five 
minutes. If this be so, it is somewhat doubtful whether 
we have at this time a ferry boat on the river that 
can exceed this, not excepting the Dido, or the Mer- 
chant." In point of speed, we have gained but little by 
the substitution of iron for wooden boilers. This boat 
had also another nick-name, and that was the Wheel- 
barrow, from the circumstance of her having a large 
wheel at her stern, by which she was propelled. The 
next boat was the Franklin, commanded by Richard 
Fetters, Esq., of this City. She was built by Benjamin 
Reeves, who at that time kept the ferry at the foot of 
Cooper street ; but afterwards removed to the Federal 
street ferry, and took with him the steamer Franklin, 
He also built the steamboats Benjamin Rush, and the 



32 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

Lehigh^ which, like the Franklin and Twins, were 
double boats, having their wheels in the centre. After 
the removal of the Franklin to the Federal street ferry, 
the Ridgway appeared — a double team boat, propelled 
by nine horses walking around a circle. She ran from 
the foot of Cooper street. There was also a team boat 
named the Washington ; she ran from Market street, 
Camden, to Market street, Philadelphia. Other team 
boats followed in succession, namely : the Phcenix, Con- 
stitution, Moses Lancaster, Independence, .&c., &c. 

There appeared to be a decided preference given to 
these team boats. One reason, it is said, was, they were 
considered more economical. In some of them, the 
horses numbered as high as nine and ten in number. 
They were arranged in a circle, on a tread- wheel con- 
nected with the main-shaft. By stepping on the wheel 
the shaft would turn, and thereby propel the boat. 
There was one great inconvenience attached to these 
boats, that would not suit very well the " fast ones " of 
the present age. Every day, at noon, there was an 
intermission of one hour, from twelve to one o'clock, 
which was devoted to feeding the horses. Whether 
some of our " fault finders " would be satisfied, at this 
time, to wait this period, until the animals had eaten 
their grub, is somewhat a doubtful matter. 

A good anecdote is related of one of our old ferry 
masters, who was known to be of a jocose disposition. 
He had been annoyed for several hours by a swaggering 
fellow, who boasted of his great skill in the management 
of horses ; that he could drive a single team better than 
any Jerseyman that could be produced. A wager was 
made by the landlord, that he had a single team of nine 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 33 

horses that he could not make go off a walk ; neither 
could he tell the shaft horse from the leader. The 
braggart was taken down to the boat, where the horses 
were all arranged in a circle. He was asked to point 
out the leader. He cleared out at once to the city, in 
the "plaguy team," as he called it, and was not seen 
afterwards. 

The next steamboat was the Lehigh, commanded by 
the late Captain Joseph Taylor, of this City. She was 
the j&rst boat of any description on the river that adopted 
the use of anthracite coal in the place of wood. Next 
came the Vigilant. She ran from Cooper street, and 
was burnt up at her dock, after having run but a few 
weeks. She was followed by the Delaware. This boat 
was remarkable at the time, and attracted a great deal 
of curiosity, owing to her having a vertical cylinder, and 
a walking beam. She exploded her boiler in the dock 
at the foot of Cooper street, on the 31st of October, 
1837, producing the instantaneous death of John Thorne, 
the engineer, and frightfully scalding a Mr. Day, of 
Philadelphia. After great suffering, he expired on the 
fourth day after the accident. This appears to have 
been the first and only boiler explosion that has ever 
occurred among our ferry boats. 

There was another steamboat, owned by Richard M. 
Cooper, Esq., named the Camden, being the second one 
of that name. She also ran from Cooper street. There 
was also a small steamboat called the Minette, alias the 
Dandy, Captain Kennard. She was undecked, and ran 
from the upper side of Market street, Camden, to an old 
ferry slip, between Market and Arch streets, Philadel- 



34 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

phia ; she was designed to cany passengers only, to and 
from the " Yauxhall Garden," at the corner of Market 
and Fourth streets, Camden, kept by Joseph Laterno, a 
Frenchman. She also ran in the evenings; but was 
soon abandoned as an unprofitable enterprise. 

About the year 1828, Toy & Reeves built the Phila- 
delphia and William Wray. They ran from Federal 
street slip, and succeeded the Rush, The Philadelphia^ 
or rather the Old P hilly, as every one called her, ran a 
number of years in conjunction with her old associate, the 
Billy Wray. She was never, in her best days, very 
remarkable for her speed ; yet, she was a reliable boat, 
and by no means unpopular with the people. After a 
time, the "go-aheaditiveness" of the age soon began to 
cast the Old Philly in the back ground. There was one 
thing, however, for which she was eminently qualified, 
and for which purpose she was not unfrequently em- 
ployed, and that was the carrying of children on "Pic- 
nic," Sunday School, and all other holiday excursions. 
How many young hearts have been gladdened, and how 
many eyes brightened, when the morning came, and they 
first saw the flag of the Old Philly waving, as though 
welcoming them on board, to enjoy a day of recreation 
and pleasure. The Old Philly, at one time, was in the 
honorable employ of "Uncle Sam," in surveying the site 
for the Delaware Breakwater. She has outridden many 
a storm at that bleak place, severely testing her strength 
and capability. Peace to her manes, she lies quiet at 
last, shored in a little by nook near Gloucester city. 
Since her day, there have been a number of other boats, 
namely : — the Southwark, Citizen, Kensington, State 
Rights, Hornet, John Fitch, Cooper^s Point, Kaighn^s 



A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 35 

Poi7if, Washington, JSTew Jersey, Champion, William 
Penn, Farmer, Dido, Stephen Girard, Mariner, Mer- 
chant, Mechanic, Leo, Mary, &c., &c. 

The foregoing is believed to be a tolerably correct'list 
of the various ferry boats that have plied on our river, 
commencing with the little Camden, and varying but 
little in the order in which they appeared. As has been 
heretofore stated, many of these boats, in past years, 
were laid up in their docks at the first approach of 
winter, and there remained until the opening of spring, 
during which period double ferriage was imposed on 
every traveler. Passengers at that day, as some may 
remember, were often subjected to great exposure, as 
well as detention, in crossing the river in the winter 
season. Twenty-five cents was always exacted from 
every one before the boat had left the slip, and beside this 
exorbitant charge, passengers not unfrequently, in icy 
weather, were compelled to work their passage over. 

The wherries all had a long rope attached to their 
bows, at which every one was expected to lend a hand, 
if the ice was firm enough to sustain them ; and often 
whether it was so or not. Some of you who were here 
about the winter of 1836 and '37, had an opportunity, as 
well as myself, of becoming tolerably well acquainted 
with these ropes. Ladies and children were kindly 
privileged to remain within the boat ; but were not per- 
mitted, even in stormy weather, to raise their ffmbrellas, 
as they might impede their progress. As might be 
expected, they were not very precise as to the particular 
time of starting. The rule was, I believe, to hold on 
until they should get a load. With all these disadvan- 
tages, how could it be expected that Camden would 



36 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

improve ? — the inducements were so few to dispose any 
one to adapt this as a permanent place of residence. 
What few Philadelphians came here to reside, were 
certain to return before the approach of winter. 



INCOKPORATION. 

In February, 1828, Camden, by an Act of the Legisla- 
ture, became a corporate town. At the passage of this 
Act her population was 1,143 ; in 1830, it had increased 
to 1,987; in 1833, 2,341; in 1840, 3,336; in 1850, 
12,000. Its population at the present time is supposed 
to be over 15,000. 

Her boundaries, as defined 'by the Charter, are as fol- 
lows : — Beginning at the Pennsylvania line in the river 
Delaware, opposite the mouth of a small run of water 
below Kaighnton, running east to the mouth of said run ; 
then up the same, crossing the public road leading to 
Woodbury from the Camden Academy ; thence along the 
east side of said road to the road leading from Kaighnton 
to Cooper's creek bridge ; thence along the side of said 
road to the middle of Cooper's creek; thence to the 
middle of the channel between Potty's Island and the 
Jersey fastland, or shore ; thence down said channel and 
river to ike nearest point between the States of Pennsyl- 
vania and New Jersey and thence to the place of begin- 
ning. These are the boundary lines of Camden. It has 
an average length of two and a half miles on the Dela- 
ware river ; and one and a quarter in breadth, making 
an area of more than two square miles. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. *S1 

I have been more particular in giving the outlines of 
our City than would seem to be required, on account of 
the misapprehension of many on the subject. Our 
southern boundary is nearly the fourth of a mile below 
Kaighnton, to a small run of water ; and northward to 
tlK Delaware river and Cooper's creek. Under the Act 
of Incorporation, the newly organized City Council held 
their first meeting on the 13th of March, 1829, at the 
Hotel of John M. Johnson, at the Yauxhall Garden. 
At this meeting there were present : — Recorder, John K. 
Cowperthwait ; Aldermen, Gideon Y. Stivers, James Sloan, 
Samuel Laning ; Common Councilmen, Richard Fetters, 
Ebenezer Toole, John Lawrence. 

Samuel Laning, Esq., was chosen the first Mayor of 
Camden; and was re-elected in 1829 and '30; previous 
to the expiration of the last year he tendered his resig- 
nation, which was accepted. 

In 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836 and 1837, 
Gideon Y. Stivers was elected and re-elected to the 
Mayoralty of Camden. The last named year the office 
became vacant by the removal of Mr. Stivers to Phila- 
delphia in 1838. 

In 1838 and 1839, Elias Kaighn was elected and 
re-elected. 

In 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1843, L. F. Fisler was 
elected. 

In 1844, by an Act of the Legislature, the City Charter 
was so amended as to give the election of this officer to 
the people. Under this amendment, John K. Cowper- 
thwait was elected directly by the popular vote of the 
people. 

In 1845, Richard W. Howell was elected ; he declined, 



38 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

however, and the City Council appointed Charles Kaighn 
to fill the vacancy. 

In 1846 and 1847, Thomas B. Wood was elected and 
re-elected. 

In 1848, Benjamin A. Ham ell. 

In 1849 and 1850, Charles Sexton. • 

In 1851, L. F. Fisler. 

In 1852, Charles D. Hineline. 

In 1853 and 1854, L. F. Fisler. 

In 1855, Samuel Scull. 

In 1856, James W. Shrojff. 

In 1857, Benjamin A. Hamell. 

In 1858, Clayton Trueax. 

These are the names of all those who have occupied 
the Mayoralty of the City of Camden since its incorpora- 
tion up to the present day ; also the length of time they 
severally held the office. They are all still living with 
the only exception of Mr. Laning, the first incumbent. 
The City Council, with a highly commendable spirit, 
employed at once all their endeavors to enlarge and 
improve their new City, and to impart to it a respectable 
appearance. One of their early acts was to change the 
names of some of the streets, viz: King street was 
changed to Front street ; Queen street to Second ; White- 
hall to Third ; Cherry to Fourth ; Cedar to Fifth ; Pine 
to Sixth. Other improvements were eJBfected, which 
naturally led to the introduction of others. 

Council, viewing the necessity of having a suitable 
place in which to transact the business of the City, 
ordered the erection of the Town Hall on Federal street, 
in which the City Sessions were held, and beneath it is a 
*^ lock-up f^^ which for years has been a ^^ terror to evil 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 39 

doersJ^ An Ordinance was passed by tlie City Council 
of Camden, June 18tli, 1828, for erecting this building; 
the following is a copy of it : 

''Sect. 1. Be it ordained hy the Mayor, Recorder, 
Aldermen and Common Councilmen of the City of Cam- 
den, That Samuel Laning, John K. Cowperthwait and 
Richard Fetters, be and they are hereby appointed Com- 
missioners for buying a lot, and building a jail and court 
house in the said City, agreeably to their best^ skill and 
understanding, and which maybe the most judicious plan 
for our City ; which said Commissioners, or any two of 
them, are hereby authorized and required to contract 
with such person or persons as may in their judgments 
be fittest to be employed in the building of the same, and 
to contract for such materials as may be necessary for 
the construction of the said building. 

" Sect. 2. And he it further ordained. That the said 
Samuel Laning, John K. Cowperthwait and Richard Fet- 
ters, are authorized to borrow of Jacob Evaul twenty- 
five hundred dollars, at six per cent, interest, for the above 
named purposes : Therefore he it ordained hy the authority 
aforesaid, That the funds of the Corporation are hereby 
pledged and made liable for the payment of the money 
so borrowed." 

The " City Fathers" should by all means preserve that 
old building ; it is associated with the early history of 
our City, and has been appropriated to almost every 
conceivable purpose. There is scarcely a religious 
society, or one of any other description in Camden, that 
was not first fledged under that old roof. 

Contrary to the expectations of many, the chartered 
privileges with which Camden had now become invested, 
added but little to her prosperity or advancement. She 
was too dead to be vitalized into life by a mere legis- 
lative enactment, or by the appointment of a Mayor, four 



40 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

Aldermen and five Common Councilmen. Before much 
progress could be anticipated, there was one requisite all 
essential to her interest, and that was more enlarged and 
superior facilities for crossing and re-crossing the river. 
At that day, as you have been told, the ferry boats were 
not of the character calculated to meet the wants of the 
community. During a part of the year, the only com- 
munication between us and Philadelphia was maintained 
by small row boats, which were entirely inadequate to 
meet the demands of the public. 

The year 1835 opened a new era in the ferrying facili- 
ties of Camden. It was clearly foreseen that the difficulty 
of crossing the river, especially in the winter season, 
would more than likely prove a serious drawback on the 
opening operations of the '' Camden and Amboy Railroad 
Company." The Messrs. Stevens were determined that 
these obstacles should not exist. Hence, a boat of great 
power was constructed at Hoboken, expressly designed 
to contend with the formidable masses of ice in the river 
Delaware. Many looked upon this as a most visionary 
and preposterous scheme, to suppose that the ingenuity 
of man was competent to overcome these stubborn obsta- 
cles of nature. Some declared it as impossible as it 
would be to attempt to propel a boat up " Market street 
hilly But difficulties that had hitherto appeared almost 
insuperable, now readily yielded to the power of steam. 
Nobly did this noble boat, with her eighty horse power, 
more than meet the expectations of her skillful and 
ingenious projectors. This boat was the State Rights, or, 
as she was more generally called, the Ice Breaker. She 
came here from Hoboken, December 29th, 1835. To the 
"Camden and Amboy Railroad Company," (that " Mon- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 41 

ster Monopoly," as some have been pleased to term it,) is 
not only Camden, but the whole traveling community, 
indebted for this first and great improvement in our 
winter transportation. Instead of being, at times, hours 
on the river, in an open boat, exposed to the severity of 
a winter's day, her passengers were conveyed across in 
from ten to twenty minutes, at half the usual price, with 
the comforts of a good fire and protection from the 
weather. This at once gave a final death blow to horse 
boats and wherries, and for years afterwards there might 
' be seen their worthless old hulks, like skeletons, strewn 
along the shore ; their decaying frames proclaiming to 
every passer by the incoming of the mighiy age of steam, 
A few of the wherries were preserved and employed as 
night boats ; not at five, ten or twenty cents a passenger, 
dollars were frequently demanded, or any sum that could 
be agreed upon with the ferryman, as he monopolized 
the night-crossing altogether. This at once gave a new 
impulse, and infused a fresh spirit of enterprise in our 
City, which has materially contributed to her growth and 
prosperity. Old sterile fields, which had hitherto been 
looked upon as valueless and useless, now began to rise 
in importance. 

Nothing more retarded the progress of Camden than 
those insufficient means which had so long existed for 
, crossing the river. How could she advance when bound 
down by such adverse circumstances ? What Camden 
required, at that time, was increased and enlarged ferry- 
ihg facilities ; they were indispensable to her interests. 
The nearer the two adjacent cities were brought together, 
the more the interest and prosperity of both would be 
advanced. 



42 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN". 

The incorporation of a chartered Company called the 
" Camden and Philadelphia Ferry Company/' is another 
element which has added greatly to the advancement of 
our City. The charter was granted in 1838, and the 
canal through Windmill Island was completed in 1839 
and '40. This opened and established a direct commu- 
nication between us and Philadelphia, which has proven 
highly advantageous to both. This at once led to the 
reduction of the ferriage ; particularly to the quarterly 
passengers, which I believe (all things considered) to be 
the cheapest ferriage in America. One of the many 
impediments to the progress of Camden, was the impos- 
sibility of obtaining ground on which to erect dwellings. 
For many years, scarcely a lot of ground could be pur- 
chased in all North Camden, at any price. This induced 
one of our enterprising citizens to purchase a large 
amount of territory in the southern part of our town ; this 
has been disposed of in building lots, on easy terms to 
the buyers; hundreds of persons have thereby been 
enabled, with a small amount of capital, to possess com- 
fortable homes for themselves and families. This it was 
that so rapidly built up that portion of our City, which 
by many still bears his name. The march of improve- 
ment is still steadily advancing and expanding in every 
direction. Our river front, within a few years, has 
undergone a surprising change. Wharves have been 
extended far out into the river, and who knows but that 
this spirit of enterprise may go on until it shall stride 
over the Jersey channel, linking us still more closely 
together with our large and overgrown sister city, on 
the opposite shore. What would Camden be without 
Philadelphia— without an uninterrupted intercourse be- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 43 

tween us? A dead, lifeless and isolated town. Let the 
communication be entirely severed, and there is not 
an acre of ground in our City that would command ten 
dollars. 

There have been no improvements in Camden which 
redound more to the credit and enterprise of our City 
Council, than that of causing the opening of Front and 
Second streets in the North ward. These streets are 60 
feet in width, and are most beautiful thoroughfares, run- 
ning in a direct line from Cooper street to the Delaware 
river, affording a most delightful view of the upper por- 
tion of Philadelphia and the surrounding country. 
Great improvements have already been made on these 
streets, many elegant buildings have' been reared, orna- 
mented with tasteful parterres in the front. This is des- 
tined, at no distant day, to become the most attractive 
portion of our City. 

We are now steadily progressing. Within a few years 
a large number of dwellings have been erected, and many 
of them of a much larger and better description than 
heretofore. Not only houses, whole streets of houses 
have sprung up like magic around us. Where my own 
residence stands, and all about me, I have granted, in 
former days, (when in office,) poor old women the privi- 
lege to erect their booths and tents on the 4th of July, 
for the sale of their commodities. I have seen squirrels 
shot down from the branches of the lofty oaks, which 
then stood where now the Camden County Court House 
stands. 



44 A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 

EDUCATION. 

There are at this time a number of Seminaries of 
learning in this City, independent of the public schools, 
in which all the branches of a thorough and substantial 
education are taught. These institutions are of a high 
order of merit, and are entitled to the patronage of the 
community. 

Among tlie number, we would refer to that of Mr. J. 
D. iliggins. This is a male school, situated in a beau- 
tiful location, and which commands the respect of our 
citizens. The Rev. Mr. Powell, the successor of II. T. 
Wells, Esq., has recently opened that old established 
school under highly prosperous circumstances. 

Among the Female Seminaries, we would call atten- 
tion to those of Miss Janvier, Miss Powell, Miss Hodson, 
Mr. Harris and Miss Glover. 



THE PRESS. 

The first newspaper published in West New Jersey, 
south of Burlington, was in Bridgeton, in the year 1794. 
It was called the Argus, and was published by James D. 
Westcott, Esq., the father of the present Postmaster of 
Philadelphia. After about two years this paper was dis- 
continued, and another one was cstaljlislicd in this place by 
John Westcott, a brother of the former, who continued it 
during the years 1803, 1804 and 1805. Its name is 
unknown. The next paper issued in West Jersey was 
the Washington Whig. It was commenced July 24th, 
1815, by Peter Hay, Esq., now one of the aldermen of 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 45 

the City of Philadelphia, and senior editor of the press in 
that city. The Washington Whig was established through 
the agency of the " Washington Whig Society of Cum- 
berland county," as the organ of the Democratic party. 
Mr. Hay disposed of the paper in January, 1817, to 
William Shultz, a young man from one of the counties 
in Pennsylvania, who soon sold it to one John Clarke, in 
1821, a pure native of the Emerald Isle. Clarke, in 
May, 1826, sold it to J. J. McChesney. In June, 1826, 
Robert Johnson, now of Philadelphia, purchased the 
Whig^ and published it as the Whig and Observer. 
After about two years it was discontinued, but was after- 
wards revived by McChesney, who disposed of it to 
Franklin Ferguson, late of this city. Ferguson, in 1832, 
sold it to James P. Powers and James Newell. In 1834 
S. S. Sibley, of Bridgeton, became the possessor. In 
March, 1837, Sibley transferred it to James S. Thomas, 
and Thomas sold it to Newell, and thus perished, after 
many long years of struggle and trial, this bantling of 
ten fathers. 

The third paper which was published (in the now first 
district) was at Woodbury, in 1818, by John A. Crane, a 
brother to the eccentric Isaac Watts Crane, Esq., of 
Bridgeton. It was called the Gloucester Farmer. He 
continued it about two years, and then removed the press 
and paper to Camden. This was the first newspaper 
ever published in the City of Camden. 

The fourth paper was the Salem Messenger, which was 
commenced in Salem in 1818, by Elijah Brooks. 

In the fall of 1819, P. J. Grey, Esq., of our City, com- 
menced at Woodbury the publication of a paper called 
the Village Herald. After a time he removed to Camden, 



46 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

and purchased of John A. Crane his interest in the Glouces- 
ter Farmer. 

A few years after this, Samuel Ellis, an old school 
teacher, established a paper in this Citj called the Arue- 
rican Star. This new luminary not shining very brightly, 
he concluded to dispose of it to Porter and Wollahon, who, 
fearing it might still become more dim, they wisely changed 
it to that of the Camden Mail. Their successors were 
Dr. Sickler and a person named Ham, from whom, in 
1834, it passed into the hands of P. J. Grey, Esq., who 
has continued it and still continues it at the present 
time, under the name of the West Jerseyman. 

Near 1830, Josiah Harrison, Esq., of this city, issued 
a little hebdomadal sheet called the Republican^ which 
was continued by him for several years, after which time 
Franklin Ferguson became its proprietor. 

In 1840 a new paper made its appearance called the 
^''American Eagle.^' It was published by Charles D. 
Hineline, who had his office in a frame building on Bridge 
Avenue next to Elwell's Hotel. This building was 
afterwards removed, and is now occupied as a dwelling 
house, in Weather by 's court, and the name is still visible 
upon it. Mr. Hineline connected with him in its pub- 
lication Henry Curts, and afterwards sold out his interest 
to a man by the name of Bossee, and started West. 
Bossee sold out his interest to Curts, its present facetious 
editor, who then changed the title of the paper to that 
of the Phoenix, and still continues its publication with 
great regularity, semi-occasionally. 

In 1846 Mr. Hineline returned from the West, and 
bought out Mr. Ferguson, who had, on the ruins of the 
Republican^ (Mr. Harrison's old Whig paper,) commenced 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 47 

a paper called the Dollar Weekly. This sheet Mr. 
Hineline discontinued, or rather built upon it the present 
^^ Camden Democrat,^^ the organ of the Democratic party 
in the First District, and continued its publication until 
July, 1853, at which time he sold it to Col. Isaac Mickle. 
Col. Mickle continued its publication until July, 1855, 
when, his health declining, he placed it in the hands oft 
two practical printers, Messrs. E. L. Garren and Wm. C. 
Figner, who continued its publication for him up to the 
time of his death, which took place in December, 1855. 
The paper was then sold, and Capt. Isaac W. Mickle, a 
cousin to Col. Isaac Mickle, became its proprietor, and 
connected with him CD. Hineline, who was publishing 
a paper called the ^^ Spirit of '76.'' This paper was 
merged into the Democrat, which accounts for the addi- 
tion to its original title. Captain Mickle afterwards had 
associated with him James M. Cassady, and still later 
Mr. John Hood, its present gentlemanly editor, who has 
since become its sole proprietor. 

Another paper of a more recent date has appeared, 

, headed the Camden Jour7iaL This is the organ of the 
"straight-out" American party, and is conducted by D. 
W. Belisle, Esq. 

The first and only attempt to establish a daily paper 
in our City was made by F. J. Grey, Esq. Its first issue 
was dated January 4, 1858. It was named the Camden 

(Daily, which was soon changed to that of the Camden 
Evening Daily. It was issued regularly from its com- 
mencement until Saturday, March 6th, in the same year. 
After a short lived existence of two months and a few 
days, it went out of existence for the want of a sufficient 
patronage, much to the regret of a large number of our 



48 A LOCAL HISTORY OP CAMDEN. 

J 

Citizens. It is to be hoped that a similar effort will be ^ 
made at no distant day, and one that will prove highly 
remunerative to its enterprising editor. « 



• Camden, formerly in the district of Bridgeton, became 
a port of entry the 30th of June, 1834, during the . 
administration of Gen. Andrew Jackson, who appointed | 
Morris Croxal, Esq., the Port Surveyor. After which 1 
P. J. Grey, Esq., was appointed by President William ,' 
H. Harrison. He was succeeded by Charles S. Garrett, * 
Esq., under President Tyler. P. J. Grey was re- 
appointed by President Zachary Taylor, and Gen. Isaac 
W. Mickle by Franklin Pierce, and the present incumbent 
Thomas J3. Atkinson, by President James Buchanan. 



Our ferrying accommodations have now become ample, | 
and well calculated to meet the wants of the community ..J 
The Dido, and her ally, the Mary, are first class boats, j 
and for safety, convenience and speed, have no superiors 
on the river. The West Jersey Ferry Company, withs 
their two substantial and beautiful steamers, the Mer- 
chant and Mechanic, have done much towards the,'^ 
advancement of Camden. All of the above boats are o? 
a very superior order, and are not excelled by any other ^ 
ferry boats on this river or on any other. That model 
Hotel, the " West Jersey," at the foot of Market street,"" 
is unequalled by any similar establishment in this part of 
our State. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 49 

And even Kaighn's Point, that long neglected locality, 
one of the most beautiful on the river Delaware, is now 
in a flourishing condition. There are one or more excel- 
lent boats at this place, which ply regularly to South 
street ferry, and which command their full share of 
patronage. 

For many years that part of our city had felt the 
necessity of a better accommodation for crossing the 
river. This resulted in chartering a new company, who 
seem determined to meet the wants of the community. 
A new ferry has recently been established at this point, 
carrying its passengers over to Reed street landing, near 
the Navy Yard. Its proprietor is Mr. J. Tuthill. 

The time is not far distant when the eastern part of 
our city will present a very different aspect from what it 
now does. Cooper's creek, from its mouth upwards, will- 
soon be studded with manufactories of every description, 
giving employment in all the various branches of 
industry. 

Among the valuable recent improvements in Camden, 
is the introduction of gas in our streets and dwellings. 
It was first lighted on Christmas night in the winter of 
1852. The Camden Water Works Company was char- 
tered by our Legislature on the ilth of April, 1845. 
The water was first introduced November 1, 1846. Its 
capital is $50,000. 

The streets which were first paved, were Federal 
street, and then Market street, both of which were com- 
pleted in 1852. 

Our facilities for traveling have been greatly improved 
by the attention which has been given to the streets and 
roads of our City. A number of turnpikes have recently 
3 



50 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

been constructed, leading directly into Camden, which 
have materially increased the amount of travel through- 
out the county. There is one street, and that an import- 
ant one, which, for some cause, has been entirely over- 
looked by our City Councils, and that is Broadway, the 
main thoroughfare into our City. It is doubted, whether, 
within a circuit of ten miles around us, there could be 
found a road of a similar extent in a more deplorable 
condition. If no other plan suggests itself, let it be turh- 
piked, and toll established on it. 

There are at present three railroads which have their 
termini in this city, viz : The " Camden and Amboy rail- 
road;" the "West Jersey railroad;" and the "Camden 
and Atlantic railroad." On the latter road there is a 
regular passenger train to Haddonfield, which affords 
great accommodations to the citizens of that flourishing 
section of our country. I met some time since the wor- 
thy President of the " State Bank of Camden" waiting 
for the cars to convey him home. " If any one had told 
me," said he, " a year or two ago, that I should live to 
ride to Haddonfield, and from Haddonfield to Camden in 
a railroad car, I would not have believed it." In reply 
I could have said, " Had I been told that I should have 
lived to see Camden curbed, and graded, and paved, and 
supplied with water, and her dwellings and streets 
lighted with gas, and a new County Court House, which 
for design and durability will compare with any pther 
in the State, I would have believed none of it." What 
Camden is destined to arrive at, no one can foresee or 
foretell ; but if the coming future may be estimated by 
the past, then is she only in her infancy. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 51 

HEALTH. 

The amount of population which Camden now pos- 

, sesses, demands of her still further measures to promote 

jher interests and welfare ; these should be early attended 

to by those having authority. It is believed that a well 

' selected Board of Health should be established in this 

City, to whom the medical practitioners of Camden 

^should report in writing, monthly, during June, July and 

August, giving a statement of the diseases which are 

prevalent, the number of deaths occurring, and other 

matters that may be deemed important. This would be 

attended with a very trifling expense, and would prove 

of the utmost advantage, and no doubt the physicians 

^would willingly comply with it. 

In connection with this, there should also be estab- 
lished a small hospital, or apartments for strangers or 
others who may become sick or suddenly injured by acci- 
dents, and have not the means of providing for them- 
selves. The claims of humanity should impress upon the 
minds of the authorities the importance of these sugges- 
tions. 

It is not outside of my province, nor without the range 
of my subject, to say some little concerning the health of 
£>ur City. My profession entitles me to this privilege, 
and it is a matter in which we are all deeply interested. 
My readers are not unaware that by some, our location 
'lias been condemned as being very unfavorable to health. 
This charge, we take the occasion to say, is without 
foundation. There are persons who look upon Camden 
somewhat as they do on New Orleans, and pretend to 
believe that there is at all times an epidemic of some 



52 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

description prevailing among ns. I have often heard ^ 
them so express themselves, and one of the reasons ■ 
assioined for it is, because our location is not on higher >|. 
o-round. I have yet to learn, after many years of obser- 
vation, that the health of a city or community is depend- 
ent on its elevated position. Where, let me inquire, 
will be found the most fearful ravages of epidemic dysen- ] 
teries, rheumatic affections, scarlet fever, and all the varied^ 
forms of bronchial affections? In our high mountainous^, 
districts. It is true, that at certain seasons of the year,; 
intermittent and remittent fevers occasionally prevail;, 
and I would ask where do they not? Even the City of 
Philadelphia in the autumn is by no means exempt from, 
these attacks, though not unfrequently we are unjustly^: 
charged of being the cause of them. It is feared that 
some of our medical brethren on the other side occasion- 
ally indirectly favor this supposition. If a decided case 
of intermittent or bilious fever happen to occur among 
them, does not the physician very frequently inquire of 
his patient if he has been to " Jersey?'' If it happen to 
be so, the cause is at once accounted for, and we get the 

credit of it. 

There is one fact that cannot have escaped the notice 
of medical men ; it is this: when the autumnal fevers are, 
prevalent among us, they also prevail in Philadelphia^ 
whether their patients have ever been to Jersey or not.^ 
Look at some of those beautiful mansions on the Schuyl| 
kill and in West Philadelphia. Many of them have been 
disposed of at much less than their original cost, and 
others remain untenanted a portion of the year on 
account of sickness; and yet we are told how very 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 53 

unhealthy is Camden. Whenever diseases of an epi- 
demic 'character prevail with us, the same class also is 
found in that city, although marked with a higher degree 
of mortality. This fact is clearly evidenced by their bills 
of mortality. 



THE WATER DEPARTMENT. 

There is, perhaps, no one element which is more essen- 
tial to the preservation of health than that of good, 
wholesome water; it is quite as important as it is that 
the atmospheric air we breathe should be pure and free 
from all imperfections. These are the two agencies, 
which, more than any others, it is believed exercise a 
powerful influence in promoting disease. Much has been 
said, and much written, in relation to the water with 
which our city is supplied. By some, it has been de- 
nounced as being very detrimental to health; while 
others seem disposed to ascribe every attack of disease 
among us, of whatever character it may be, to this ele- 
ment. This we deem to be erroneous. Any one who 
will take the pains to investigate this subject a moment, 
will at once be satisfied that there are other causes, as 
yet unknown, which are equally active in generating 
disease. For example, take the present season, when 
dysentery is prevailing among and around us in an epi- 
demic form. Camden, comparatively, has suffered but 
little, when compared with some parts of the adjacent 
country; proving, without the shadow of a doubt, that 
our river water cannot be the only cause of its preva- 
lence. Let it not be understood that I am advocating 
the purity of our water. Still I consider it much more 



54 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

harmless than that which is taken from many of our okl 
and uncleansed pumps, which have stood until the mate- 
rials of which they are composed are rotten and decayed. 
The Delaware river water, if proper care be^observed 
in administering it to our citizens, is at most times in a 
suitable condition for use, if we except on particular 
occasions, when it has been rendered extremely offensive, 
by heavy freshets, &c., which bring down a large deposit 
of vegetable and animal matter. This, of course, is 
unavoidable, and cannot be entirely remedied by the 
utmost precaution on the part of those who have the 
control in supplying it. This difficulty will occasionally 
occur, not only with us, but also with all other communi- 
ties which are supplied by the Delaware river, or any 
other similar stream. While we are attributing to our 
hydrant water as being the cause of so much sick- 
ness, let us look and see if there be not other influences 
exerted, equally pernicious, and which are almost entirely 
overlooked, not only by our authorities, but by a large 
number of our citizens. Many of our cellars have not | 
been ventilated nor thoroughly cleansed for years ; the air 
having become so foul in them as to be almost sufficient to 
extinguish a lighted candle. How can a family expect 
to enjoy health when this state of things exist? Offensive 
sinks and cesspools, and filthy stagnant gutters are cer- 
tain, especially in the summer months, to have their 
effects upon the health of our citizens. A poisonous 
effluvia is constantly arising from these places, which 
could easily be abated at a very trifling cost. By the 
exercise of proper sanitory measures, and a strict regard 
to cleanliness on the part of our authorities, Camden, 
much as she has been maligned and misrepresented by 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 55 

the designing, will, at no distant dof , become one of the 
most desirable places of residence in our State. Her 
population is rapidly increasing, and improvements of 
every description are constantly in progress. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

PERSEVERANCE FIRE COMPANY, NO. 1. 

This was instituted March 15, 1810. It is the oldest 
Fire Company in our City, and on its roll-list is found a 
number of our most respectable citizens. After a lapse 
of some years it was revived in 1848. It has a number 
of active members on its list, and many others who sus- 
tain an honorary position. It has always been a very 
popular organization among the people, and has rendered 
very effective aid in some of our severest conflagrations. 
Its present President is Joseph D. Folwell ; Treasurer, 
John Ross. 

WECCACOE FIRE COMPANY, NO. 2. 

The Weccacoe Fire Company, No. 2, was instituted 
October 7th, 1830, under the name of the "Fairmount." 
The engine was purchased from the Fairmount Fire 
Company, of Philadelphia, by a committee, consisting of 
Richard Fetters, Richard W. Howell and A. McCalla, 
Esqs. This company originated from the old Perseve- 
rance Fire Company, which was established as early as 
1810. In 1831, the Company. erected a house on the 
corner of Third and Plum streets. In 1835, the engine 
was rebuilt by Joel Bates, of Philadelphia, and her 
name changed to that of the "Niagara.'' She retained 
that name until 1848, when it was again changed to that 



56 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

of the Weccacoe Fire Company, No. 2, of Camden. The 
engine was purchased of the Commissioners of South- 
wark, at a cost of $750, in December, 1850, and in 185S 
she was thoroughly rebuilt by John Agnew, of Philadel- 
phia, at an expense of $850. On the 17th of February, 
1854, their engine house, after several previous attempts 
by the incendiary, was burned down. This occurrence 
appeared to have no other effect than that of increasing 
their efforts to do good. In 1856, their new house was 
erected on Plum street, above Fifth. This is a substan- 
tial building, 18 by 60 feet deep, and is two stories ia 
height. This Company numbers twenty-five active mem^ 
bers and about thirty-six contributing members. She is 
reported to be in excellent condition. Her members are 
mostly young and energetic men, who at all times will 
be found ready to combat the terrible element which she 
is so well designed to encounter. Mr. James W. Ayres 
is her President. 

SHIPFLER HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1. 

The next Company in the order of time comes the 
Shiffler Hose Company, No. 1. This was instituted 
March 7, 1849. John R. Thompson, President, and 
George F. Ross, Secretary. Their house is a creditable 
building of brick, two stories in height, situated on 
Fourth street, below Walnut. They have two substan- 
tial carriages, one of which is almo§t new. Their char- 
ter of incorporation bears date September 11th, 1852. 
Samuel Brown, President. This Company, consisting 
as it does of a number of strong and spirited young men, 
i3 capable of performing a great deal of good. 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 57 

NEW JERSEY FIRE COMPANY. 

This Company originated from the disbanding of 
the "Mohawk." The first meeting was held at the 
house of William Garwood, in Cherry street above 
Third, May 1, 1851, and permanently organized by elect- 
ing Henry Coombs President, and David fl. Sparks 
Secretary. The following persons composed the organi- 
zation: James Carr, Samuel Ames, David H. Sparks, 
Wm. Garwood, Thomas Butcher, E. B. Turner, Aaron 
Gibes, William Woodruff, John Wood, Henry Coombs, 
Adam Newman and Caleb Clark. At this meeting a 
committee was appointed to make application to City 
Council for the use of the engine formerly belonging to 
the "Mohawk,'' there being, at that time, no engine in 
South Ward for the protection of property in case of 
fire. This request Council complied with, and the Com- 
pany immediately went into active service. At first the 
engine was placed in an old stable near Broadway and 
Spruce street, and run from there for some time, when 
it became apparent that the situation would not answer, 
and the Company removed to their present location, in 
Walnut street above Fourth. In September, 1853, a 
committee was appointed to procure a lot for the purpose 
of erecting a house. Nothing, however, appears to have 
been done in the matter, as we find that in September, 
1855, two years afterwards, a similar committee was 
appointed, who reported in favor of and were ordered to 
procure a lot on Pine street below Fourth, for the sum 
of $250. This project also fell through, as the Company 
have since purchased the lot on Chestnut street above 
Fourth, and have ordered the erection of a two-story 



58 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

brick house, the second storj of which is intended to be 
used as a hall for public meetings, societies, &c. The 
building, it is expected, will be completed about the first 
of October. The following is the list of Presidents, with 
the date of their election; Henry Coombs, May 1, 1851; 
James Carr, November, 1851; John Crowley, August, 
1853; Joshua L. Melvin, May, 1854; Samuel Hickman, 
May, 1855; John Warrington, December, 1855; Jere- 
miah Brannon, May, 1856; Richard C. Mason, June, 
1857; C. DeGrasse Hogan, May, 1858. 

UNITED STATES FIRE COMPANY. 

United States Fire Company is located in Pine street, 
between Second and Third. It was first organized July 
4th, 1851, and bore the name of the Fairmount Fire 
Company, of Camden. Wm. C. Figner was elected 
President, Wm. J. Miller, Secretary, and John W. Hoey, 
Treasurer. It obtained its incorporation in 1852, and in 
1853, by a resolution of the Company, its name was 
changed to that of the United States Fire Company, of 
Camden. James Scout was then elected President, and 
George Deal, Jr., Secretary. On July 1st, 1858, Wm. 
J. Miller was elected President, and George Watson, 
Treasurer. This is a large Company, and one that has 
been very useful in our City. 

INDEPENDENCE FIRE COMPANY, NO. 3. 

The Independence Fire Company, No. 3, was instituted i 
April 3d, 1851, and incorporated February 4th, 1854. 
Their house is located at the corner of Fourth and Pine 
streets. She has forty-eight active members and sixteen 
contributors. This is an active and efficient Fire Com- 
pany, and has already proven very useful on many occa- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 59 

sions in staying the destroying element. Her discipline 
is unexceptionable, and she is well calculated, from the 
number and activity of her members, to effect much good 
in our city. The " Independence," as well as all the 
others in the South Ward, are offshoots from the venera- 
ble old '' Mohawk." Her President is Robert S. Bender, 
and Secretary, John Wallace. 

WECCACOE HOSE COMPANY, NO. 2. 

A new Company was organized on March 15th, of the 
present year. It bears the name of the Weccacoe Hose 
Company, No. 2, of Camden. This will form a very 
effective auxiliary, in case of fire, to the beautiful engine 
whose name it bears. 



We claim for our little State the respect and admira- 
tion of the whole Union. Her name is as unsullied as 
that of any other on the page of our country's history. 
The part she bore in our struggle for independence 
should endear her to the heart of every true lover of 
liberty. I love Philadelphia much, I have many valued 
friends and relatives in that city, but I like New Jersey 
more. All the scenes of my early life, and of my riper 
years, are intimately associated with her. She is the 
land of my birth-place, and I wish her to be the land of 
my burial-place. General Washington paid her a com- 
pliment that was conferred on no other State in the 
Union. When he was retreating through the Jerseys, 
almost dispirited, her militia were at all times obedient 
to his orders, and for a time comprised the strength of 
his army. " My New Jersey regiments," said he on 



60 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

one occasion, " I can always rely on." These old veteran 
Jersey Blues, where now are they ? They have nearly 
all gone 

" To join 
The innumerable caravan that moves 
To the pale realms of shade, 
Where each shall take his chamber, down 
In the dark and silent halls of death.'' 

It has frequently been my lot to stand by the bed-side 
of some of these old revolutionary soldiers, and minister 
to them in the hour of pain and suffering. I have seen 
their dim and almost sightless eyes brighten up, and their 
furrowed cheeks glow afresh with pride and patriotism, 
when the stirring scenes of Trenton, Princeton and Mon- 
mouth have been called up in their memories. No one 
State of her territorial dimensions has produced a 
greater number of distinguished men than has our own. 
Among her sons we rank the bold intrepid Commodore 
Bainbridge, Capt. James Lawrence, Commodore Crane, 
Capt. Evans, Commodore Benj. Cooper, and Capt. James 
Cooper, one of the old veterans of Lee's legion. We 
also claim General Zebulon Pike, General Kearny, 
General Richard Howell, Richard Somers, the hero of 
Tripoli, and Commodore Robert F. Stockton, long dis- 
tinguished for his daring valor. 

Among her noted civilians are the names of Governor 
Williamson, Governor Dickinson, Governor Livingston, 
Governor Bloomfield, Chief Justice Kinsey, Kirkpatrick, 
Ewing, Elias Boudinot, Hornblower, Horace and Richard 
Stockton, Samuel L. Southard, James McPherson Berrian, 
Joseph Mcllvaine, Frelinghuysen, Garrett D. Wall, Peter 
D. Yroom, Green, Warren Scott, Chetwood, Bishop Mc- 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. -Gl 

Ilvaine, of Ohio, William L. Dayton, Stacy G. Potts, 
William Pennington, Miller, John R. Thompson, &c., &c. 
James Fennimore Cooper, the distinguished American 
writer, was born at Bordentown, and numerous others who 
have occupied prominent positions in our country. Not a 
few of them have gone to direct and adorn the councils of 
our sister States. A gentleman of this city, a few years 
since, visited the United States Senate Chamber, at Wash- 
ington, and while there, there were pointed out to him six 
Senators, then occupying seats on the floor, all natives of 
New Jersey, viz: Dayton, Miller, Berrian, Breeze, West- 
cott and Henderson. Who was the great millionaire of 
Philadelphia, who did so much towards her improvement ? 
Jacob Ridgway, an Egg Harbor boy, born at Leeds' 
Point. Who knows that the nucleus of Stephen Girard's 
immense estate was not formed when he was in business 
at Mount Holly. Who, at this time, stands at the head 
of Oper.ative Surgery in our country ? Dr. Joseph Pan- 
coast, born near Moorestown, in Burlington County. 
Who is the distinguished Professor of the Practice of 
Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania ; the successor 
of Rush, and Barton, and Chapman? Dr. Geo. B. Wood, 
a native of a small village in Cumberland County. 
Where was born the eminent criminal lawyer, who now 
adorns the Philadelphia bar, David Paul Brown? In 
Gloucester County, near Woodbury. 

The time is fully within the recollection of many of us, 
when a number of the principal merchants of Philadel- 
phia, were Jerseymen ; they established for themselves a 
reputation for honesty, industry and integrity, which are 
still maintained by their descendants. 



62 A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 

I have now presented my readers with an imperfect 
sketch of Camden, commencing with her early settlement 
up to her incorporation, and to the present day. My 
only object has been to secure some few of the local 
incidents connected with our city before it had become 
too late. It has been my endeavor to furnish facts alone, 
without the least disposition to deceive or mislead. For 
much I have had to rely on the statements of others, 
many of whom have now become enfeebled by age. If 
misstatements have been made, all I ask of my readers, is 
to ascribe them not to me, but to the infirmities and im- 
perfections of human memory. 



APPENDIX. 

The Church of Macedonia was founded by Benjamin 
Wilson, and built in June, A. D. 1833. The number of 
members at that time was nineteen, and Ephraim Wilson 
was Secretary. Rev. Israel Scott was the first preacher. 
The present house, which is 26 feet by 60 feet, in Spruce 
Street below Third, was built in 1850; and the pastor, at 
this time, is Rev. Peter Gardner. 



IN^DEX 



PAae. 
General Kemarks, ----.-.7 

Churches, ---...,9 

Public Buildings, - - - - - - -16 

Ferries, _.__.-_ 17 

Incorporation, - - - -^- - -36 

Education, -------44 

Press, - - - - - - - -44 

Port of Entry, - ------ 43 

Health, --.--.,. 51 
Water Department, ------ 53 

Fire Department, - - - - - - -55 



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